Dallas Cowboys release WR Dez Bryant

The Dallas Cowboys released Dez Bryant on Friday, ending the tenure of one of the franchise's most notable players.

The wide receiver briefly met with owner Jerry Jones on Friday to discuss his future with the team and it ended with him no longer being a part of the club that drafted him in 2010.

"Cowboy nation I need you to know this wasn’t my decision.. I will always love y’all... forever Dallas in my heart," Bryant tweeted after the meeting.

DallasCowboys.com reporter Mickey Spagnola reported that Bryant walked out of The Star and said "I'll see guys twice this year," alluding to the potential of Bryant signing with an NFC East rival of Dallas.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement that releasing Bryant "was not an easy decision" but it was done for what was in the best interest of the Cowboys. Jones said the decision was made with input from several people inside the franchise.

"As an organization we hold Dez Bryant in the highest regard, and we are grateful for his passion, spirit and contributions to this team for the past eight years," Jones said.